In the journey of learning Korean, the ability to express what you can or cannot do is as fundamental as it is practical. Whether you’re discussing your skills, asking for permission, or expressing possibilities, the phrases “-ㄹ 수 있다” (can) and “-ㄹ 수 없다” (cannot) are indispensable tools in your linguistic arsenal. These expressions are pivotal for navigating daily conversations, making requests, or discussing capabilities in both personal and professional contexts.
At first glance, the structure of “-ㄹ 수 있다/없다” might seem daunting due to its reliance on verb conjugation and the addition of specific endings. However, with a clear understanding and practice, using these phrases becomes second nature, greatly enhancing your ability to communicate nuanced thoughts and actions in Korean.
By learning this grammar structure, you will be able to say things like;
- I can speak Korean.
- I can cook.
- I cannot sing.
The word 수 in 수 있다/없다 refers to a “way” or an “idea” that would help us solve a problem or get something done. Adding 있다 to it then becomes “a way to do something” and adding 없다 becomes “a way to not be able to do something”.
To form the positive form “can” in Korean, we add “-ㄹ 수 있다” to the verb stem. For example, the verb “가다” (to go) becomes “갈 수 있다,” which means “can go.”
To form the negative form “cannot” in Korean, we add “-ㄹ 수 없다” to the verb stem. For example, the verb “가다” (to go) becomes “갈 수 없다,” which means “cannot go.”
Conjugation
VERB STEM + ㄹ/을 수 있다/없다
- Take a verb i.e. 가다
- Drop “다” i.e. 가
- Add an appropriate ending based on the rules below i.e. 갈 수 있다
- If the word ends with a vowel, you add ㄹ under the vowel and add 수 있다/없다.
- If the word ends with a consonant, add 을 수 있다/없다.
- If the word ends with a consonant “ㄹ”, add 수 있다/없다.
Examples
- 먹다 –> 먹 + 을 수 있다 –> 먹을 수 있다 (To be able to eat)
- 하다 –> 하 + ㄹ 수 있다 –> 할 수 있다 (To be able to do)
- 보다 –> 보 + ㄹ 수 있다 –> 볼 수 있다 (To be able to see)
- 만들다 –> 만들 + 수 있다 –> 만들 수 있다 (To be able to make)
- 먹다 –> 먹 + 을 수 없다 –> 먹을 수 없다 (To not be able to eat)
- 하다 –> 하 + ㄹ 수 없다 –> 할 수 없다 (To not be able to do)
- 보다 –> 보 + ㄹ 수 없다 –> 볼 수 없다 (To not be able to see)
- 만들다 –> 만들 + 수 없다 –> 만들 수 없다 (To not be able to make)
Did you notice how we remove the 다 first to conjugate the verb but we end up with 수 있다 or 수 없다 which again ends in the verb dictionary form?
This is because this grammar structure ends with ANOTHER verb “있다” – to have or “없다”- to not have and we just need to conjugate this part of the grammar structure using the rules we have learned previously.
Let’s look at how we can conjugate these into present, past and future tense.
Present tense
Let’s recap the rules how to conjugate verbs into present tense.
- If the last vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ, add 아요.
- If the last vowel is not one of the above, add 어요.
- Only 하 is followed by 여요 and becomes 해요 (always the case).
있다 ends with a consonant and so should be followed by 어요.
So,
- Drop “다” i.e. 있
- Add 어요 i.e. 있어요
- 먹다 –> 먹 + 을 수 있어요 –> 먹을 수 있어요 (Can eat)
- 하다 –> 하 + ㄹ 수 있어요 –> 할 수 있어요 (Can do)
- 보다 –> 보 + ㄹ 수 있어요 –> 볼 수 있어요 (Can see)
- 만들다 –> 만들 + 수 있어요 –> 만들 수 있어요 (Can make)
The same with 없다
- Drop “다” i.e. 없
- Add 어요 i.e. 없어요
- 먹다 –> 먹 + 을 수 없어요 –> 먹을 수 없어요 (Cannot eat)
- 하다 –> 하 + ㄹ 수 없어요 –> 할 수 없어요 (Cannot do)
- 보다 –> 보 + ㄹ 수 없어요 –> 볼 수 없어요 (Cannot see)
- 만들다 –> 만들 + 수 없어요 –> 만들 수 없어요 (Cannot make)
Past tense
The rules for the past tense are as follows:
- If the last vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ, add 았어요.
- If the last vowel is not one of the above, add 었어요.
- Only 하 is followed by 였어요 and becomes 했어요 (always the case).
있다 ends with a consonant and so should be followed by 었어요.
So,
- Drop “다” i.e. 있
- Add 었어요 i.e. 있었어요
- 먹다 –> 먹 + 을 수 있었어요 –> 먹을 수 있었어요 (Could eat)
- 하다 –> 하 + ㄹ 수 있었어요 –> 할 수 있었어요 (Could do)
- 보다 –> 보 + ㄹ 수 있었어요 –> 볼 수 있었어요 (Could see)
- 만들다 –> 만들 + 수 있었어요 –> 만들 수 있었어요 (Could make)
The same with 없다
- Drop “다” i.e. 없
- Add 어요 i.e. 없었어요
- 먹다 –> 먹 + 을 수 없었어요 –> 먹을 수 없었어요 (Couldn’t eat)
- 하다 –> 하 + ㄹ 수 없었어요 –> 할 수 없었어요 (Couldn’t do)
- 보다 –> 보 + ㄹ 수 없었어요 –> 볼 수 없었어요 (Couldn’t see)
- 만들다 –> 만들 + 수 없었어요 –> 만들 수 없었어요 (Couldn’t make)
Future tense
The rules for the future tense are as follows:
- If the verb stem ends with a vowel, add ㄹ 거예요.
- If the verb stem ends with a consonant, add 을 거예요.
- If the verb stem ends with a consonant “ㄹ”, add 거예요.
있다 ends with a consonant and so should be followed by 을 거예요.
- Drop “다” i.e. 있
- Add 을 거예요 i.e. 을 거예요
- 먹다 –> 먹 + 을 수 있을 거예요 –> 먹을 수 있을 거예요 (Will be able to eat)
- 하다 –> 하 + ㄹ 수 있을 거예요 –> 할 수 있을 거예요 (Will be able to do)
- 보다 –> 보 + ㄹ 수 있을 거예요 –> 볼 수 있을 거예요 (Will be able to see)
- 만들다 –> 만들 + 수 있을 거예요 –> 만들 수 있을 거예요 (Will be able to make)
The same with 없다
- Drop “다” i.e. 없
- Add 어요 i.e. 없을 거예요
- 먹다 –> 먹 + 을 수 없을 거예요 –> 먹을 수 없을 거예요 (Would not be able to eat)
- 하다 –> 하 + ㄹ 수 없을 거예요 –> 할 수 없을 거예요 (Would not be able to do)
- 보다 –> 보 + ㄹ 수 없을 거예요 –> 볼 수 없을 거예요 (Would not be able to see)
- 만들다 –> 만들 + 수 없을 거예요 –> 만들 수 없을 거예요 (Would not be able to make)
Sample sentences
- 저는 한국어로 말할 수 있어요. – I can speak Korean.
- 시간이 남으면 공원에 가볼 수 있을 거예요. – If there’s time, we can go to the park.
- 이번 주말에는 시간이 없어서 만날 수 없어요. – I cannot meet this weekend because I don’t have time.
- 이 열쇠는 잃어버려서 문을 열 수 없어요. – I cannot open the door because I lost the key.
- 날씨가 너무 추워서 밖에 나갈 수 없어요. – I cannot go outside because the weather is too cold.
Overall, “-ㄹ 수 있다” and “-ㄹ 수 없다” are essential verb endings in Korean to express ability and inability to do something.
Difference between ㄹ/을 수 있다/없다 and ㄹ/을 수가 있다/없다
The phrase “을 수가 있다” and “을 수가 없다” are similar to “ㄹ 수 있다” and “ㄹ 수 없다,” which express the ability or inability to do something. However, “을 수가 있다/없다” specifically emphasizes the speaker’s own ability or inability to do something, and it is often used in a more casual or conversational tone. 수 is a noun and therefore, we can add other particles to it. By adding “가”, it adds a subtle nuance of emphasising the fact that there is a way or there is no way.
For example;
그럴 수 없어요 – I cannot do that.
그럴 수가 없어요 – There is no way I can do that.
The first sentence simply states the fact (I would say without any emotions). However, the second sentence is more likely to be said more emotionally. It gives the feeling or a nuance of doing that would go against something like my principles.
나한테 어떻게 그럴 수 있어요? – How could you do that to me?
나한테 어떻게 그럴 수가 있어요? – How could you do that to me?
I have decided to translate these the same. BUT, the second one adds more emphasis on “how could you”. I feel like the difference is the same as saying the second sentence with more emphasis on “could you”.
Example sentences
그 영화 너무 무서워서 끝까지 볼 수가 없었어요 – That movie was so scary that I couldn’t watch it till the end (emphasis on the fact that I couldn’t manage to keep watching it).
그 사람 마음 알 수가 없어요 – There is no way to understand that person’s heart. (Emphasizing the fact that it’s just too difficult to know what that person is thinking).
말할 수가 없어요 – There is no way I can tell you. (Emphasizing the fact that possibly it’s a secret or too hard to talk about).
Wrap up
Navigating the expressions “-ㄹ 수 있다” and “-ㄹ 수 없다” is a pivotal milestone in mastering Korean. These structures not only enrich your ability to communicate nuances such as capability, possibility, and permission but also open up a new dimension of expressiveness in your language journey. From sharing your talents and making plans to expressing your feelings and understanding the boundaries set by others, these phrases are indispensable tools in your linguistic repertoire.
As we’ve explored through various examples, incorporating “-ㄹ 수 있다/없다” into your conversations allows for more dynamic and nuanced communication. Whether you’re a beginner just starting to weave these structures into your sentences or an advanced learner polishing your fluency, the versatility and utility of “-ㄹ 수 있다/없다” cannot be overstated.
We Want to Hear From You!
- How has your experience been incorporating “-ㄹ 수 있다/없다” into your Korean studies?
- Are there particular scenarios where you’ve found these expressions especially useful or, conversely, challenging to use?
- Do you have any tips, personal insights, or additional examples to share with fellow learners?
Your feedback, questions, and insights are invaluable to us and to the community of Korean language learners. Sharing your experiences can provide encouragement, offer new perspectives, and perhaps introduce novel ways of thinking about and using “-ㄹ 수 있다/없다” in everyday communication.
Please drop a comment below with your thoughts, experiences, or any questions you might have about using “-ㄹ 수 있다/없다.” Let’s continue to support each other, share our journeys, and celebrate our progress in mastering the Korean language. 감사합니다 (Gamsahamnida) for joining us on this exploration, and as always, 화이팅 (Hwaiting) in your language learning adventures!